From sexually understanding oneself to landing you in the ‘bad books’ of religious outlooks, masturbation is a lot of things. It is that one thing that is not properly spoken about, considering the fact that it usually starts with a ‘psst’ and ends with a ‘shush’. Ironic, considering the fact that it’s a very common natural process.
This air of ‘let’s be ignorant’ about it has led to the cultivation of many misconceptions and wrong notions about masturbation, and this is dangerous, given the sheer number of people doing it. Masturbation has been attributed with a lot of wrong information over the years, aided along with religious and ethical backgrounds ranging from causing acne, hair growth on palms, infertility, blindness and what not!! (shocker right)
So, let’s debunk some myths.
Masturbation is a very common natural process, and experts believe that it has added medical benefits to it (of course other than making you feel satisfied) like, for example, it helps to maintain a good circulatory, neural, and muscular system. Masturbation reduces the chances of dysmenorrhoea in women (painful menstruation) and eases cramps. This also helps women to combat urinary tract infections as it flushes out bacteria.
It also helps release oxytocin and dopamine which give your body a natural ‘high’ and, thus, puts you in a good mood and reduces stress. This also helps you to sleep better and more effectively. The release of these hormones have also shown to lessen junk food cravings (now, there’s a tip for the wedding seasons), and apart from all this, it’s been shown to elevate general health and immunity.
So, where did all the myths come from?
Most of the wrong notions might have stemmed from the ethical ideas of people, as Masturbation was seen as something impure, and thus, tried to scare people away from it. Most of the misconceptions can be seen in a book that was anonymously published in 1756 called “Onania or the heinous sin of self-pollution and its frightening consequences (for both sexes) “ (talk about catchy titles) which seems to have been designed to scare people away from self-gratification. Also, the wrong ideas could’ve come from a lack of awareness and shushed talks.
The truth is Masturbation has been found to have no connections with acne or blindness. Both of them have been studied to have a link with puberty, through which incidentally happens to be, when you discover these new urges. Hair growth on palms too is another baseless rumor, as it is hereditary in nature, that to a very rare one.
It doesn’t affect your virginity
Another elephant in the room named Masturbation would be the question regarding “virginity”. This is where we have to understand that virginity is not a concept, that is either medical or physical. It is a cultural concept which is used to refer to a person who has not had sex. Masturbation is not sex. Virginity is also linked to the presence of a membrane partially closing the vaginal opening known as the hymen. But, the hymen gradually diminishes any way by the insertion of tampons, vaginal cups or even due to physical activities, and it’s to be understood that its absence is neither the confirmation that the woman is not a virgin, nor is it a measure of her character.
Be careful
But, masturbation is not all good when it begins interfering with your life in any way, be it emotional, social or physical. Though it’s frequency is different for different people, overdoing it can hinder you in any number of ways, from ruining your social life and causing disinterest in sex, to maybe sometimes causing infections due to unsanitary practices.
So what’s the takeaway? “To do or not to do, is the question!”
And, the only thing that can answer it is your personal choice!! Not doing it is not wrong and doing it isn’t wrong (of course, you have to be hygienic and in the right way) either.
So cheerio folks!
